South of the Wohsh River, West of Findochty , and Northeast of Alnwick, is where you'll find the village of Eldham. We have left early in the morning when the sun was still rising and arrived at the village, like, before lunch or something.
"Welcome to Eldham, heroes! I can see ye are well equipped. May we lead you our fine inn, Oriental Lily, I'm sure you're all tired after that long travel. Let's discuss about the dungeon that appeared inside as we eat lunch"
The village chief greeted us as we unload our things from the carriages. The village chief turned his back around and indicates to follow him.
The dust, rutted road is line with closely-grown hedges of brambles and shrubs. Here and there it cuts through a copse or crosses a rivulet. To either hand forest and meadow have given way to field and orchard. A small herd of kine graze nearby, and a distant hill is dot with the white of a flock of sheep. Ahead are thatch roofs and stone chimneys with thin plumes of blue smoke rising from them. A road angles west into the hill country there, and to either side of the ahead are barns and buildings.
We were lead to a large walled building with a square wooden sign showing a buxom and a smiling girl holding a flagon of beer. I'm guessing this is the inn we'll be staying. The innkeeper greeted us and the chief, happy to serve the heroes that were summon recently. Inside, there were no customers in the main room.
I realize that it might because we rented the whole place. We went to the upper rooms to check where will be staying. Because the inn can't accommodate a one student per room, we were divided into a group of 4 or more depending on the size of the room.
The upper rooms are very clean, and all except the common dormitory are heated. Each has a fine bed, many covers, washstand, chamber pot, towel, pegs for garments, and several chairs and stools. The larger rooms have arm chairs, tables, footstools, bed warmers, curtained beds, and good rugs on the floor and wall hangings as well.
We rested for a bit after the long travel. Then we went to common room at the first floor to eat lunch and to get down to business. The room contains many rough-hewn tables and chairs, boards and benches. A natural tree trunk pillars support the ceiling overhead, all dark with smoke and age.
We ate a hearty meal while Eadwulf and the village chief talk about the new dungeon and it's problem. The others just ate lunch or listened to the conversation. We didn't directly participate or talk except Aimi, who wanted to be as ready as possible about it.
What I heard is that the new dungeon is an Old Moat House. It was use in the wars before and it was owned by an evil ruler. It was buried under the ground after many years but due to the influence of the demon king today, it reacted and appeared once more.
The moat house spread an evil aura around the area which includes the village. People started getting sick of some weird disease. The village quickly send letters asking for help. It was convenient for them to know that the heroes will be the ones who's gonna handle it.
"We should decide when will we go to the moat house" (Iso)
"Yes, I agree. I think we should quickly subjugate it so that there will no more casualties for the village. What do you guys think?" (Aimi)
The students just nods and agreed with Aimi. Well, many of them were bored cause of the meeting. I think they want to test their abilities in real battle already.
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"It is decided then. We shall go and hit the road now. The Moat House is far from here." (Eadwulf)
Eadwulf then went to the village chief and thanked him for accommodating us. After that we readied our equipment for battle and carry necessary things. The other materials we brought was left at the inn.
We used the carriages and horses and left the village. After some time, the surrounding slowly changes. Scrubs of thorns, thistles, weeds, and shrubs grows thickly along the edge of the track to the ruins, and even the track is mostly overgrown and cluttered with fallen branches and trees. We followed the pathway, however, after a mile or so faith pathways can be seen.
The going was slow and many of us were slumped inside the carriages. After two miles of distance, the land begins to sink and become boggy. Tall marsh plants grow thickly where cattails and tamaracks do not. Off to the left, I can see the jagged silhouette of the moat house.
Seeing the moat house temporarily 'awaken' the other students. Seeing it now, I became a little bit nervous of what might happen there. I reminded myself that this is real life and we could die. We would experience fighting real monsters.
I can see the others are nervous too but there is also some kind of excitement in their eyes. Maybe they think of this as a game?
The track continues past the ruins for many miles. I think it was seven leagues or something. At last though, we have reached the temple area. I saw a side path, banked high to cross over the wet land on either side, just north to the entrance of the ruined place. The track here is only 15' or so wide, with crumbling embankments making travel near the edge dangerous.
The bogs here stink, and the vegetation appears dense and prolific, but somehow sickly and unhealthy, creepers and vines throwing their strangling loops over skeletons of dead saplings and living bushes alike. The rushes and cattails rustle and bend even when only a slight zephyr blows over the marsh, and weird bird calls, croaking, and other unwholesome sounds come faintly across the fen.
We proceeded cautiously towards the drawbridge of the ruins. Then some of us stop, including Eadwulf, Aimi, our Archer, and others.
"Wait, I sense something over there" (Eadwulf)
Eadwulf pointed somewhere near us. This must be an experience fighter institution. Our Archer nocks an arrow and shoot at the direction where Eadwulf pointed at. It sure did disturbed something.
Our horses panic and flee away from the frogs. Looks like we have to walk back after this. Six shadows leaps out from their lurking places. It appeared to be giant frogs.
This is our first encounter of fighting a monster. Wait, are giant frogs monsters? Well, it does not matter cause they started attacking madly at us. Definitely enemies. The largest of them seems to be the leader.
The giant frogs started to use their tongues to grapple the students. I was no exception. I barely dodge one before Aimi cut the tongue off. The frog that attacked me falls back, his mouth full of blood.
Eadwulf and a number of students dealt with the biggest frog.
"The winds shall sway and release pressure, feel the air gladly, the gods of the wind shall take you in their care. 'Wind Burst'" (random student)
"I ask the spirits of the ashes, return to your former selves, lend me thy power of fire, burn away the enemies in front of me and add them to your collection of ashes, 'Flame seal: Burning ash'" (random students)
"The sword of light shall guide us in the darkness, it will surround us granting us strength, it will peirce through the night of horrors, Eradicate those who stands in our way, 'Divine art: Holy Slash'"(Aimi)
A number of chants were activated to use their magic. A bunch of elemental attacks appeared and attacked the frogs. I envy them. Because I have no job class, I have no talent to use magic chants. Well, maybe after I class-change, I can use magic.
I tried my best to help them. I followed their orders so I won't drag them down. I tried using the magic knife I have but it seems it didn't activate it's magic. How disappointing. It just bounce off from the skin of the giant frogs.
I changed my position to that of a support. Helping protect the magic casters and giving out healing potions and mana potions. I eventually became an all-rounder. Attacking here, defending there, and healing in between.
The giant frogs took considerable damage from our magic attacks and eventually we defeated them. It only took about 15 minutes but it felt like it lasted for a long time.
We examined the bodies of the frogs and found a gem inside the largest one. It was kept by Eadwulf temporarily and we plan to talk on what to do with it later.
We finally went to cross the drawbridge.